What was the Great Retreat, and when did it primarily take place?

The Great Retreat, also known as the retreat from Mons, was a significant fighting withdrawal by the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) and the French Fifth Army on the Western Front during the early stages of World War I. This period of strategic withdrawal occurred from August 24 to September 5, 1914, as they moved from Belgium towards the River Marne in France.

Which armies participated in the Great Retreat?

The Great Retreat involved the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) and the French Fifth Army. These Allied forces were engaged against the advancing armies of the German Empire.

What events directly preceded the Great Retreat?

The Great Retreat followed the defeat of the Franco-British forces on the Western Front at the Battle of Charleroi on August 21, 1914, and the Battle of Mons on August 23, 1914. These battles resulted in the German army pushing the Allied forces back.

What was the ultimate destination of the Great Retreat?

The Great Retreat saw the Allied forces withdraw southwards, ultimately reaching the line of the River Marne in France. This movement was a response to the successful advance of the German army.

What major battle marked the end of the Great Retreat?

The Great Retreat concluded with the First Battle of the Marne, which took place from September 5 to September 12, 1914. This battle halted the Allied retreat and forced the German armies to fall back towards the Aisne River.

What strategic plan guided the initial German advance that led to the Great Retreat?

The German advance was largely dictated by the Schlieffen Plan, a strategic military plan that aimed to quickly defeat France by invading through Belgium and then turning to face Russia. The plan involved a rapid envelopment of French forces.

What was the French strategic plan that was in effect during the early stages of World War I?

The French strategic plan in effect was Plan XVII. This plan focused on offensive operations, particularly a push into Alsace and Lorraine, which proved to be insufficient against the German offensive.

What was the Battle of the Frontiers, and how did it relate to the Great Retreat?

The Battle of the Frontiers is a general term encompassing all operations of the French armies from August 4 until the Battle of the Marne. It began with a series of encounter battles between German, French, and Belgian armies starting on August 4, 1914, and set the stage for the subsequent retreat.

What was the first French offensive of World War I mentioned in the text?

The first French offensive mentioned was the Battle of Mulhouse, also referred to as the Battle of Alsace, which occurred from August 7 to August 10, 1914. French forces captured Mulhouse but were pushed back by a German counter-attack.

Describe the initial French offensive in Lorraine.

The main French offensive, the Battle of Lorraine, took place from August 14 to August 25, 1914. It involved advances by the First Army towards Sarrebourg and the Second Army towards Morhange. Although initial gains were made, a German counter-offensive on August 20 forced the French armies to retreat.

What happened during the Battle of the Ardennes (August 21-28, 1914)?

During the Battle of the Ardennes, French Third and Fourth armies advanced into the Ardennes region starting August 20. They encountered German forces in thick fog, mistaking them for screening units. The French attacks were costly, leading to a disorderly retreat by August 23, with the Third Army falling back towards Verdun and the Fourth Army towards Sedan and Stenay.

What was the significance of the Battle of Charleroi on August 21, 1914?

The Battle of Charleroi was a crucial engagement where the German 2nd Army attacked the French Fifth Army along the Sambre river, forestalling a planned French offensive. The Germans established bridgeheads that the French could not reduce, contributing to the French Fifth Army's eventual retreat.

What role did the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) play at the Battle of Mons on August 23, 1914?

At the Battle of Mons, the BEF attempted to hold the line of the Mons-Condé Canal against the advancing German 1st Army. Despite initial resistance, the British position became untenable due to German pressure and flanking maneuvers, leading to a ordered retreat.

What were the approximate casualties for the British and Germans at the Battle of Mons?

The British suffered approximately 1,642 casualties at the Battle of Mons, while the Germans sustained around 2,000 casualties.

What decision did General Horace Smith-Dorrien make at the Battle of Le Cateau on August 26, 1914?

General Horace Smith-Dorrien, commander of the British II Corps, ordered his corps to stand and fight at Le Cateau to deliver a 'stopping blow' to the pursuing Germans. This was a tactical decision to resist the German advance despite being outnumbered and having an exposed flank.

What were the British casualties at the Battle of Le Cateau?

At the Battle of Le Cateau, approximately 5,212 Entente troops were killed or wounded, about 2,600 were captured, and thirty-eight British guns were lost. The German forces suffered 2,900 casualties.

Describe the Rearguard Affair of Le Grand Fayt.

The Rearguard Affair of Le Grand Fayt occurred on August 26, 1914, involving the 2nd Connaught Rangers covering the retreat of the British 5th Infantry Brigade. They encountered German forces and faced heavy fire, with Lieutenant-Colonel A.W. Abercrombie and many of his men reported missing.

What was the action of the 2nd Royal Munster Fusiliers at the Rearguard Affair of Étreux?

During the Rearguard Affair of Étreux on August 27, 1914, the 2nd Royal Munster Fusiliers, outnumbered significantly, held their ground until they exhausted their ammunition and were surrounded, leading to their surrender. Despite their defeat, their stand prevented German pursuit of the BEF I Corps, buying valuable time.

What notable cavalry engagement occurred during the retreat?

The Affair of Cerizy saw engagements between British and German cavalry on the evening of August 31, 1914. The 12th Royal Lancers played a key role in repulsing German cavalry charges, inflicting significant casualties.

What was the significance of L Battery, Royal Horse Artillery, at the Affair of Néry?

At the Affair of Néry on September 1, 1914, L Battery of the Royal Horse Artillery, despite most of its artillery being put out of action early on, maintained a steady fire for two and a half hours with a single gun against a battery of twelve German field guns, significantly disrupting the German attack.

What happened during the Rearguard Actions of Villers-Cotterêts?

During the Rearguard Actions of Villers-Cotterêts on August 31, German air reconnaissance identified British columns, leading German commander Kluck to order his 1st Army to advance southwards. However, by the end of the day, the German headquarters realized they could not trap the British forces, who had slipped away.

What was the outcome of the Battle of St. Quentin on August 29-30, 1914?

The Battle of St. Quentin was a French counter-attack ordered by Joffre. Despite initial French advances on the flanks, the attacks were uncoordinated and ultimately repulsed by the Germans, leading the French Fifth Army to continue its retreat towards the Marne.

How did the First Battle of the Marne (September 5-12, 1914) impact the Great Retreat?

The First Battle of the Marne was the decisive engagement that ended the Great Retreat. It resulted in a Franco-British counter-offensive that forced the German armies to halt their advance and retreat towards the Aisne River, effectively saving Paris.

What strategic maneuver followed the First Battle of the Marne?

Following the First Battle of the Marne, the reciprocal attempts by both the Allied and German armies to outflank each other to the north led to the 'Race to the Sea', which occurred from September 17 to October 17, 1914.

What was the territorial change resulting from the Great Retreat and subsequent battles?

As a result of the retreat and the subsequent First Battle of the Marne, Allied forces established a defensive line from Verdun to Rheims and Paris, halting the initial German advance into France.

What were the total British Expeditionary Force (BEF) casualties during August and September 1914?

The British Expeditionary Force suffered 14,409 casualties in August 1914 and an additional 15,189 casualties in September 1914, reflecting the intense fighting during the initial phase of the war, including the Great Retreat.

What was the objective of the German 1st Army under General Alexander von Kluck during the retreat?

The objective of General Alexander von Kluck's 1st Army was to execute the Schlieffen Plan's envelopment of the French army. During the retreat, his army pursued the BEF, aiming to push them back and out of the way of the main German advance towards Paris.

Who commanded the French Fifth Army during the Great Retreat?

The French Fifth Army was commanded by General Charles Lanrezac during the initial phases of the Great Retreat.

Who commanded the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) during the Great Retreat?

The British Expeditionary Force (BEF) was commanded by General Sir John French during the Great Retreat.

What was the French strategic response after the initial defeats?

Following the initial defeats, French General Joseph Joffre orchestrated a counter-offensive by forming a new Sixth Army under General Michel-Joseph Maunoury. He also repositioned existing forces to create a stronger left flank, leading to the First Battle of the Marne.

How did the German advance change after the Battle of the Marne?

After the Battle of the Marne, the German armies were forced to retreat from the Marne River towards the Aisne River. This marked the end of the initial rapid advance into France and led to the establishment of trench lines.

What was the 'Race to the Sea' and how did it relate to the Great Retreat?

The 'Race to the Sea' was a series of battles fought from September 17 to October 17, 1914, between the Allied and German armies. It followed the First Battle of the Marne and involved reciprocal attempts to outflank each other's northern flanks, extending the trench lines to the North Sea coast.

What was the state of the BEF's equipment and morale during the retreat?

The text implies the BEF was under pressure and retreating, facing significant German forces. While not explicitly detailed, the context of a 'fighting retreat' and substantial casualties suggests a challenging period for morale and equipment, though specific details are not provided in this excerpt.

What was the role of air reconnaissance during the Great Retreat?

Air reconnaissance played a role in reporting troop movements. For instance, on August 31, air reconnaissance observed British columns retreating south of the Aisne towards Crépy-en-Valois, and later reported many troops at Villers-Cotterêts, influencing German command decisions.

What happened to the German armies after they dug in north of the Aisne River?

After digging in north of the Aisne River around September 14, the German armies stabilized the front. The subsequent Allied attempts to break through with frontal attacks were largely repulsed, leading to the beginning of the Race to the Sea as both sides tried to outflank each other.

What was the 'stopping blow' ordered by General Smith-Dorrien at Le Cateau?

The 'stopping blow' was General Smith-Dorrien's tactical decision for his II Corps to stand and fight at Le Cateau on August 26, 1914, rather than continuing the immediate retreat. The aim was to inflict significant damage on the pursuing German forces, even at a high cost.

How did the German 2nd Army pursue the Allied forces after Charleroi?

After the Battle of Charleroi, the German 2nd Army, under General Karl von Bülow, ordered a rapid pursuit of the French Fifth Army and the BEF. Elements of the 2nd Army were sent southwest to flank the Allied line, encountering resistance at places like Le Grand Fayt and Étreux.

What was the strategic implication of the French Fifth Army's retreat southwards to avoid encirclement?

The French Fifth Army's retreat southwards after the Battle of Charleroi was an attempt to avoid being encircled by the German 2nd and 3rd Armies. This maneuver was part of the larger strategic withdrawal that characterized the Great Retreat.

What was the 'Grande Retraite' in French?

The 'Grande Retraite' is the French term for the Great Retreat, referring to the withdrawal of the French Fifth Army and the British Expeditionary Force during August and September 1914.

What happened to the Belgian army during the initial German advance?

Following engagements like the Battle of Haelen and the Battle of the Gete, the Belgian army began to retire towards Antwerp, leaving the route to Namur open for the Germans. Liège had already been occupied by German forces on August 7.

What was the outcome of the Battle of the Frontiers in general terms?

The Battle of the Frontiers, encompassing numerous engagements from early August to mid-September 1914, resulted in the defeat of the French armies and the British Expeditionary Force by the German Empire's forces, leading to the Great Retreat.

How did the German advance impact the French capital, Paris?

The German advance during the Great Retreat threatened Paris. The successful Allied counter-offensive at the First Battle of the Marne ultimately halted the German advance, preventing them from capturing the French capital.

What was the state of the German armies after the First Battle of the Marne?

After the First Battle of the Marne, the German armies were forced to retreat from the Marne River to the Aisne River. They then began to dig in, establishing trench lines, which marked the end of the mobile phase of the war on the Western Front and the beginning of trench warfare.

What is the 'La Ferté-sous-Jouarre memorial' mentioned in the article?

The La Ferté-sous-Jouarre memorial is mentioned in the 'See also' section of the article, suggesting it is a monument related to the events of the Great Retreat or the First Battle of the Marne, likely commemorating the soldiers involved.

What was the German objective in crossing the Sambre and Meuse rivers?

The German objective in crossing the Sambre and Meuse rivers was to implement the Schlieffen Plan, which involved advancing rapidly through Belgium and into France to envelop the French army. These crossings were key to their offensive operations against the French Fifth Army and the BEF.

How did the French use railways during the retreat and subsequent advance?

The French utilized railways effectively to move troops. They used railways that had initially transported French soldiers to the German frontier to move troops back from Lorraine and Alsace to form a new Sixth Army, which was crucial for the counter-offensive at the Marne.

What was the overall result of the Great Retreat for the Allied forces?

While the Great Retreat involved significant fighting withdrawals and initial defeats, it ultimately served a strategic purpose. It allowed the Allied forces to regroup and launch the successful counter-offensive in the First Battle of the Marne, which prevented the fall of Paris and changed the course of the early war.

Great Retreat Wiki: The Great Retreat: A Strategic Reassessment of the Opening Moves of the Great War

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Overview

Defining the Retreat

The Great Retreat, also known as the retreat from Mons, refers to the extensive withdrawal of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) and the French Fifth Army along the Western Front during August and September 1914. This movement was necessitated by significant defeats against the advancing German Empire forces following the Battles of Charleroi and Mons.

Timeline and Scope

The retreat commenced on 24 August 1914 and continued until the Allied forces established a defensive line along the River Marne by early September. This period was marked by continuous engagements and arduous movement, fundamentally altering the initial phase of the First World War.

Strategic Significance

This withdrawal was a critical precursor to the First Battle of the Marne. While initially a tactical defeat for the Allies, the successful continuation of the retreat and the subsequent counter-offensive prevented the swift German victory envisioned by the Schlieffen Plan, ultimately leading to the establishment of trench warfare on the Western Front.

Historical Context

The Schlieffen Plan

Germany's strategic objective was outlined in the Schlieffen Plan, which aimed for a rapid encirclement and defeat of French forces before turning attention to Russia. This plan dictated a swift advance through neutral Belgium and northern France, bypassing French border defenses.

French Strategy: Plan XVII

In contrast, French strategy, embodied in Plan XVII, focused on offensive action, particularly in the Lorraine region. This offensive posture proved insufficient against the German onslaught, contributing to the need for a strategic retreat.

Initial Engagements

The Battle of the Frontiers (August 7–13, 1914) encompassed numerous engagements along the Franco-German border and in Belgium. Early French offensives, such as the Battle of Mulhouse and the Battle of Lorraine, met strong German resistance and ultimately failed to achieve decisive results, setting the stage for the retreat.

Prelude to Retreat

Battle of Charleroi (21 August)

The French Fifth Army, positioned near Charleroi, attempted to halt the German advance. However, German forces successfully crossed the Sambre River, establishing bridgeheads. Despite French efforts, the army was unable to repel the German attacks and began a southward retirement to avoid encirclement.

Battle of Mons (23 August)

The British Expeditionary Force (BEF) engaged the German 1st Army along the Mons-Condé Canal. Outnumbered and facing flanking maneuvers, the BEF was forced to withdraw. This engagement marked the beginning of the BEF's retreat, suffering significant casualties.

The Long March South

Rearguard Actions

Throughout the retreat (24 August – 1 September), various units conducted rearguard actions to delay the German pursuit. Notable engagements included the Battle of Le Cateau, the Rearguard Affair of Le Grand Fayt, the Rearguard Affair of Étreux, the Affair of Cerizy, and the Affair of Néry. These actions, though costly, bought crucial time for the main Allied forces.

These engagements involved fierce fighting, often outnumbered, to slow the German advance:

Le Cateau (26 August): British II Corps fought a defensive battle, inflicting heavy casualties on the Germans but suffering significant losses themselves.
Le Grand Fayt (26 August): Elements of the Connaught Rangers engaged German forces, resulting in casualties and missing personnel.
Étreux (27 August): The 2nd Royal Munster Fusiliers fought a determined delaying action, ultimately surrendering after exhausting ammunition, but preventing German pursuit of the BEF I Corps.
Cerizy (31 August): British cavalry engaged German cavalry patrols in skirmishes near the Oise River.
Néry (1 September): A notable action where a single British artillery battery held off German attacks for several hours before reinforcements arrived.
Crépy-en-Valois & Villers-Cotterêts (31 August - 1 September): British forces conducted delaying actions against German advances, withdrawing through these towns.
St. Quentin (29-30 August): French Fifth Army launched counter-attacks, which were largely unsuccessful but forced some German units to fall back temporarily.

The Continuous Movement

The retreat was characterized by constant movement, often under fire, with troops covering significant distances daily. Soldiers faced exhaustion, lack of sleep, and dwindling supplies. The German pursuit, while relentless, was also stretched, impacting their operational effectiveness.

German Pursuit

The German 1st and 2nd Armies were primarily responsible for pursuing the BEF and French Fifth Army. While successful in pushing the Allies back, the pursuit was costly and sometimes disorganized, failing to achieve a complete encirclement.

Turning the Tide

The First Battle of the Marne (5-12 September)

The Great Retreat culminated in the First Battle of the Marne. A newly formed French Sixth Army, reinforced by troops moved rapidly from Lorraine, launched a counter-offensive against the German flank. This engagement halted the German advance, forcing them to retreat towards the Aisne River.

The Race to the Sea

Following the Marne, both sides attempted to outflank each other in a series of maneuvers known as the "Race to the Sea" (September 17 – October 17). This extended the front northward to the North Sea coast and led to the establishment of static trench lines.

Stalemate and Trenches

The failure of the Schlieffen Plan and the subsequent stabilization of the front marked the end of mobile warfare in the West for the duration of the war. The Great Retreat, therefore, directly led to the trench warfare that would characterize the conflict for the next four years.

Casualty Assessment

BEF Losses in 1914

The British Expeditionary Force sustained considerable casualties during the initial phase of the war, including the Great Retreat.

BEF Casualties, 1914
Month	No.
August	14,409
September	15,189

Comparative Losses

While specific figures vary by engagement, the battles during the retreat saw substantial losses on both sides. For instance, at the Battle of Mons, British casualties were approximately 1,642, while German losses were around 2,000. At Le Cateau, the BEF suffered around 5,212 casualties, with the Germans sustaining approximately 2,900.

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References

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The Great Retreat

💡 Dive in with Flashcard Learning! 💡

Overview 🗺️

🔄 Defining the Retreat

⏳ Timeline and Scope

➡️ Strategic Significance

Historical Context 📜

🎯 The Schlieffen Plan

🇫🇷 French Strategy: Plan XVII

💥 Initial Engagements

Prelude to Retreat ⚡

⚔️ Battle of Charleroi (21 August)

🇬🇧 Battle of Mons (23 August)

The Long March South 🚶

🐎 Rearguard Actions

🏃 The Continuous Movement

📉 German Pursuit

Turning the Tide 🌊

🛡️ The First Battle of the Marne (5-12 September)

↔️ The Race to the Sea

🧱 Stalemate and Trenches

Casualty Assessment ⚖️

📊 BEF Losses in 1914

⚖️ Comparative Losses

Teacher's Corner 🧑‍🏫

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📜 References

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📜 Important Notice Regarding Historical Content

Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

Overview

Defining the Retreat

Timeline and Scope

Strategic Significance

Historical Context

The Schlieffen Plan

French Strategy: Plan XVII

Initial Engagements

Prelude to Retreat

Battle of Charleroi (21 August)

Battle of Mons (23 August)

The Long March South

Rearguard Actions

The Continuous Movement

German Pursuit

Turning the Tide

The First Battle of the Marne (5-12 September)

The Race to the Sea

Stalemate and Trenches

Casualty Assessment

BEF Losses in 1914

Comparative Losses

Teacher's Corner

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Discover other topics to study!

References

Feedback & Support

Academic Disclaimer

Important Notice Regarding Historical Content